Post 14: Using a Risk Register to Drive Governance and Accountability
A risk register is more than a spreadsheet. In NIST CSF 2.0, it is a core governance tool. By documenting risks, assigning owners, and tracking progress, a risk register turns cybersecurity into a structured business process instead of a collection of one-off decisions.
What It Means in Business Terms
A risk register is the central log of cybersecurity risks and how they are being managed. It typically includes:
Risk descriptions that explain the issue in plain language.
Likelihood and impact ratings to prioritize threats.
Existing controls and the level of residual risk.
Assigned risk owners to ensure accountability.
Treatment plans and deadlines to drive remediation.
Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to measure changes over time.
This tool ensures that risks are visible, owned, and aligned with business priorities.
Why It Matters to Businesses
Without a risk register:
Leadership lacks a clear picture of the organization’s cyber risk posture.
High risks may go unmanaged because no one is accountable.
Decisions about investments are reactive rather than strategic.
With a structured register:
Risks are tracked consistently, with visibility across the organization.
Executives and boards can see which risks are within tolerance and which are not.
Investments in controls can be justified and prioritized based on documented risks.
What Leaders Should Do Now
Require a cyber risk register that aligns with enterprise risk management practices.
Assign risk owners in business units, not just IT.
Review the register quarterly at the executive level and annually at the board level.
Use the register as a driver for funding, resource allocation, and performance reporting.
Leadership Takeaway
A risk register is the heartbeat of governance. It makes risks visible, assigns responsibility, and drives accountability. With it, cybersecurity becomes part of the enterprise risk process that boards and executives already understand.
At STGRC Solutions, we help organizations design and maintain risk registers that connect cyber risks to enterprise risk management. The result is a governance program that turns risk from a vague concern into a managed, accountable process.